On Tuesday 17 June 2025, the HSE launched its updated Open Disclosure Policy.
The policy is intended to support those involved in incident management and the open disclosure process, in particular patients/relevant persons and staff, by providing clear information about the important elements of the process and what supports are available to them
Key revisions in the 2025 policy include:
- A focus on the importance of support for patients/service users, their relevant person and staff, to support those impacted by an incident and to help prevent compounded harm
- The procedures our staff need to ensure they are able to deliver on the requirements of the policy. Many incidents span over several teams and services and we must support one another in open disclosure to provide the patient/service user and/or their family with the most comprehensive and supportive experience across health and social care services at such difficult times
The revised 2025 Policy titled: “Communicating with Patients Following Patient Safety or Notifiable Incidents” replaces the HSE Open Disclosure Policy 2019.
More information about the Open Disclosure Policy 2025 is available in the following resources: